By Erik De Lorenzi Going into the 2018 election, 61% of Ontarians said that hydro rates would impact their vote. The Progressive Conservative platform seized on this consensus by committing to reduce rates by 12%. Since assuming power, the Ford government has aimed squarely at the cost
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As detailed in part two of our series, the government is well on its way to achieving its promised 12% rate reduction by holding bills to inflationary increases only. However, in order to fully complete the promise, the Ontario government will either need to borrow even more
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The 2019 Ontario Fall Economic Statement appears to strike the right note between taking budget balance seriously and providing services to Ontarians. Though it does not contain thousands of new initiatives or cuts, it clearly shows the government it attempting to listen and respond to the concerns
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By Shiv Ruparell During his speech on election night, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet declared to an upbeat crowd at the historic Théâtre National in Montréal: “nous revenons de loin, mais nous irons encore plus loin,” roughly translated to “we were off the map, but we’re back,
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This week the Ontario Legislature returned from an extended summer break. The government has been keen to show a conciliatory and softer tone, but they have one real challenge ahead of them – impending teacher strikes. The two sides appear to be at an impasse. The government
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The 43rd Canadian election is behind us, and with it comes a strong minority for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party. All in all, 63% of Canadians cast ballots for a party that supported some form of a carbon tax. That stands in contrast to
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All in all, the Province and the City have made significant strides to achieving a massive new subway and transit expansion totaling nearly $30 billion – including a real path to co-operation between all three levels of government – which is no small feat. We appear to have an agreement, but what does it all mean and what happens next?
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Starting as soon as November 1, 2019, the Ford government plans to change electricity bills to include a new line item called the “Total Ontario Support” message. According to a regulation posted for comment by the Ministry of Energy, the new Total Ontario Support line will be the combination of all government supports, totaling the roughly 25% discount provided through the Fair Hydro Plan. Though the new line item will look like new savings to consumers, it will be the same subsidy previously provided.
Read more →The tabling of the 2018-2019 public accounts officially closes the Ford government’s first fiscal year in power. Year one’s fiscal projections saw constant re-adjustment, which is no surprise for a new government after a system-wide program review. Today’s report showed the deficit declining from an initial commission
Read more →Since the writ was issued on August 12, a full year ahead of schedule, it appears that the Progressive Conservatives (PC) under the leadership of Premier Brian Pallister are poised to win a second majority come election day on September 10. On the eve of the election,
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